Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1473504
NEWS 16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 JULY 2022 THE chairman of Labour's tel- evision station One has kicked the ball into his own party's court over the surprise cancel- lation of stalwart Manwel Cus- chieri's regular radio show. Cuschieri, a long-time One Ra- dio presenter serving up Labour propaganda since the 1990s, was served his walking papers unexpectedly this year when his grassroots outreach show 'Linja Diretta' was stopped. But Jason Micallef denied hav- ing been part of the decision to cancel the programme. "I had no say in this decision. I was not even consulted. All political programmes on One Radio and One TV have always been under the Labour Party's direction. Theirs is the last word on the shows, including the pre- senters," Micallef, a former par- ty secretary-general, said. Micallef took umbrage at press reports suggesting he had been behind the decision. "Cuschieri is one of One's best communi- cators of all time. He was there in the good times and bad since the very beginning. He worked hard for what he believed in, his Labour principles. And he never requested any form of payment for the programmes. I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Cuschieri's show was can- celled in June, and the decision was announced by Cuschieri himself. "This wasn't my decision but a decision that was communi- cated to me. I am always avail- able to the Labour Party. I was prepared to continue giving my services but I cannot do any- thing. I will stop here for now and if I feel the need to give you more details, I will do so. "Meanwhile, I thank you for your support and attention and apologise that we're not going to be meeting. The time has come for the next step. I will keep you informed." Cuschieri has been an im- passioned defender of Joseph Muscat's legacy on One Radio, a mark of his unwavering loyal- ism for Labour. Cancelled: Manwel Cuschieri (right). Jason Micallef (left) says that he was not consulted on the decision by the Labour administration 'I had no say in Cuschieri cancellation by Labour', says One TV boss Jason Micallef Party bosses are on a different wavelength to grassroots radio jock Manwel Cuschieri